The remains of Staff Sergeant James Ide were escorted home today with a large procession led by members of the Patriot Guard. As the procession traveled South on Highway 67 near Victoria Road, the northbound shoulder was full of vehicles stopped to pay their respects as the procession made its way to De Soto.

     Ide was a 1997 graduate of De Soto High School and had served two tours in Iraq and one year in Korea before his most recent service in Afghanistan.

     At the intersection of Highway 110 and Upper Plattin Road, two solitary women, one on each side of the highway stood proudly, each holding an American Flag.

     Lu Ann Patterson of Park Hills said, "I've taken freedom for granted and if I can show his family in some small way that I appreciate his sacrifice, hopefully it helps in their grief."

     Patterson said that she isn't part of any organization and doesn't know the family but she wanted to show support.

     A De Soto woman who asked to remain anonymous, said she knew the family and her daughter had gone to school with Ide. She also said that he was always respectful and honorable long before his military service. The woman also stated that it didn't occur to her to show this type of support but when she stopped to ask Patterson what she was doing that she rushed home to change and took a place across the highway to also honor Ide and his family.
 
     Ide will be laid to rest at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery on Saturday following funeral services at De Soto High School at 10:00am.  Find further information about funeral arrangements and the procession route in Obituaries.